Time magazine’s Person of the Year’ for 2011 is ‘The Protester’. The gender is not specified nor is the location.
The link to the global ‘occupy’ movement is one obvious association but the person could equally be one of the political rioters across Africa or a marauding looter and arsonist from England.
Time’s choice is intended to nominate a person who, for good or ill, has most affected the course of the year and is not necessarily an endorsement the actions or beliefs of this individual.
The ‘award’ is significant because it makes the point that ordinary people can reap destruction and cause chaos but also can be agents for positive change. If we depend on politicians and corporate business then there is truly no hope for the future.
Peter Hapak’s Photo Essay captures the dignity and defiance of those individuals who, show that (in the words of Patti Smith) “people have the power to wrestle the world from fools” .
Related link: Peter Hapak’s Website
